Above: H135 helicopter in service with NPAS.
Courtesy NPAS
The firm order is the first output of a Framework Contract, signed with the BlueLight Commercial procurement agency, which confirms Airbus as the exclusive supplier of helicopters for NPAS for up to six years.
NPAS Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager Chief Superintendent Vicki White, said: “With over 100 calls for air support each day, the National Police Air Service plays a unique and valuable role in saving lives, disrupting criminality and protecting communities. The aircraft we currently operate were transferred to NPAS from individual police forces when the national service was formed over 13 years ago and, as such, they are some of the oldest and most-flown aircraft of their type in any UK fleet.”
“We very much look forward to working with Airbus on this exciting project and anticipate receiving the first of our seven new aircraft in 2027.”
Richard Atack, Interim Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, said: “We are extremely proud to have been the sole provider of NPAS’ helicopters since its formation and we greatly appreciate the continued confidence it is showing by awarding Airbus Helicopters its first fleet renewal contract. It is a great honour for us to continue playing this critical role in the nation’s security.”
NPAS currently operates 16 H135 and four H145 helicopters from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. Airbus Helicopters in the UK additionally provides maintenance and support for the NPAS fleet which includes the most intensively used police helicopters in the world.
The new helicopters will be equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics system and one aircraft will initially be used to train NPAS pilots in the use of the new system which enhances safety and operational effectiveness by markedly reducing pilot workload.
More than 1,440 H135s are in service worldwide and have exceeded 7.5 million hours with over 320 customers.
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